Before one approaches seriously the study of metaphysics, magick, the occult,
or mysticism, it is appropriate that one prepares oneself on all levels:
mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is of vital importance
that the student be psychologically prepared for the reception of Cosmic
truths; for without adequate preparation, without the required purity, the
right attitude and the right motive, one simply deludes or sidetracks oneself
from all that which is essential in occult study to those phenomena and teachings
that are unessential, delusive, and misleading; to phenomena that simply
strengthen one's hold in a world of illusion, glamour, pride and ego; aside
from this, should one attempt occult work without due preparation one exposes
oneself to certain dangers which are far-reaching. Without adequate preparation
the student would abuse and misuse occult, spiritual teachings and powers.
The karmic consequences of this abuse may stall or cause stagnation in one's
spiritual evolution for countless incarnations. Basically, religion without
the theological dogmas, is an appropriate basis for the study of metaphysics.
Students of metaphysics are advised to deepen their religious activities
by engaging in personal study of their scriptures or holy book without relying
on the usual channels or interpreters for clarification. This is to preserve
one's bicameral mind from external influence and dependency on "authority
figures" that may be damaging to the psyche in the long run.

Purity, sincerity, humility, and a selfless motive which seeks to serve one's
fellow men are qualities to possess or develop when requesting from, or studying
the teachings of a spiritual/ metaphysical teacher, or even when embarking
on our own by studying books on the occult. These qualities or virtues are
our safeguard. They protect us from negative forces which affect our mental
and emotional stability.

One of the keys to preparation is to eliminate the false ego from our thinking
and centeredness. Think from the Christ level. Think the thoughts of Jesus,
Muhammad-the Prophet, Krishna, Lao Tze, or Buddha. What do you think these
avatars and prophets of God think constantly of? They think of God, Truth,
Beauty, and Goodness. Therefore we advise each student to do likewise. Thinking
abstract thoughts, divine thoughts, spiritual thoughts, and holy thoughts
raises the vibrations of the physical, etheric, astral and mental bodies.
This facilitates metaphysical and spiritual development so needed by the
human race. It improves the quality of humanity.

One of the problems which poses as an obstacle to occult and metaphysical
study is that of the crystallized mind. As a preparation, the first step
that has to be undertaken by the student of metaphysics and the occult is
to temporary put away all previous concepts and beliefs regarding them. There
are many false beliefs and superstition concerning the occult perpetuated
by ignorant individuals, by psychics of a low caliber, by secular education,
and even by religion, that we have to cast all of those beliefs aside and
prepare our minds to really think and use our reason and intuition. Even
if we had learnt metaphysics or branches of it previously from genuine teachers,
it is still required of us to shelve them aside when we begin our apprenticeship
under a new tutor.

Our minds should be open and receptive to the teachings of the higher worlds,
but if our minds are closed and crystallized, we fail to register the truths
concealed in occult and metaphysical teachings regarding the laws of the
cosmos, the higher worlds, the principles of mind and one's psychic nature.
If the teachings of any metaphysical system or teacher (including this writer)
contradict your personal notions and feelings and you have trouble accepting
them, simply shelve them aside for the time being and consider them again
at a later date when you have acquired more experiences and knowledge. Realize,
however, that most of the time opinions and beliefs do not reflect Truth.
We teach what we personally know or what others personally know. We do not
proselytize or impose our words upon others against their will. We are happy
to give to others the teachings of the Spiritual Masters should they be receptive
and just as happy not to give should they be non-receptive. We can lead a
horse to a drinking trough but we are unable to make it drink.

Granted, that information concerning the occult the tyro or neophyte often
has to regard as hypothesis, or working theories, but in time the student
is given methods for investigating and proving to himself the verities of
metaphysical truths and the realities of the higher worlds.

We seek knowledge, wisdom, and experience--not mere beliefs. For the student
of Nature's mysteries, beliefs will not do. Beliefs are blatant expressions
of one's ignorance, for if one knows, why is there a need for beliefs? If
one should say that one believes in the existence of something, one implies
in that statement that one does not really know if that something exists.
Belief and knowledge are poles apart.

In spiritual and occult training one invokes intense energies, powers and
forces emanating from the spiritual worlds. These energies flow into the
whole microcosm even down to the physical level. Should the physical body
and its force-field vibrate at a very low level because of the presence of
impurities, toxins, and negative forces, the nervous and energy systems of
the physical and etheric bodies would explode and rupture during the influx
of those higher energies. This is one reason why one embarks upon the Path
of Purification prior to engaging in advance occult work.

The Master's Advice

In days gone by, when a student approached a spiritual or occult master for
instructions, the master would say "empty your cup." The master illustrates
the purpose of this by pouring fresh tea into a cup already filled to the
brim with the liquid. The tea would naturally overflow. "Likewise," the master
would say, "will the teachings I fill your mind be rejected by all of your
previous thoughts and false beliefs. Therefore, empty your cup." Which means,
in other words, "empty your mind of previous ideas and conceptions." Most
people are disinclined to accepting new ideas. They dislike change, and yet
we must change towards a positive direction if we are to progress. There
is a senseless fear and laziness in most people in operating their brain
faculties such as using their mind to reason. Our minds must be open and
flexible, yet putting all new ideas to the test where possible before accepting
them. We must strive to see the logic and rationality in concepts, if any,
that are new to us. In other words, we must think! It would not hurt to be
critical in a positive and constructive sense of novel ideas or even religious
ideas if we believe that our criticism is valid. Although the mind is limited,
it has its purpose and we should not shirk from using it.

It is an important requirement for the occult student not to form any false
ideas concerning himself and lower his self-esteem. He should not limit his
mind and divine expression by saying "I can't do this," "I can't do that."
One never knows what one can do until one tries. This applies to all branches
of learning and study. Often we hear people say "nobody's perfect," and they
use this as an excuse not to improve their morality, their character, their
minds or even their social standing. If one approaches the study of metaphysics
and the occult in this manner, one is bound to fail. Metaphysics is hard
work, and those who are not interested in work should leave metaphysics alone.
Metaphysical truths awaken a person from self-complacency and the slumber
of mortal errors. The student of metaphysics should be prepared for this
and not rebel when it occurs. When you come to the point where you can think
of nothing but metaphysics in your everyday activities, you shall succeed
in being a metaphysician. Metaphysics has to be incorporated into one's life
24 hours a day.

Studying the occult and metaphysics requires great perseverance, endurance,
patience, and fortitude. It even requires a certain degree of intelligence.
Note that we do not say education or intellect, for the educated mind and
intellect at times can be more of a hindrance than an asset. Unless our mind
is receptive and open to modify previous findings or concepts expounded by
science or religion which from the point of view of metaphysics are erroneous,
one would simply fail in metaphysical study and the probing of Nature's higher
laws. The intellect, as the result of education is simply the building blocks
that we accumulate, whereas intelligence is the conscious directive power
that builds an edifice out of those blocks. Being educated implies gathering
data and information that may or may not be true or even relevant to one's
life. We should seek the sort of knowledge that is applicable to our everyday
lives with its countless challenges and problems. Overcoming human problems
is mastership. Intelligence is a necessary attribute to comprehending
metaphysical principles. You need not be concerned of any lack of intelligence,
however, for metaphysical practices itself raises one's I.Q., E.Q., and S.Q.

Some occultists, metaphysicians, and mystics have declared that it is much
easier acquiring an academic degree than getting fruitful results from occult
study. This is indeed true, for occult study requires unfolding the inner
senses to register higher vibrations and the various phenomena of the higher
dimensions, and this takes much time and energy for practice and training.
The purpose of metaphysical study is to make each and every one torchbearers
of Truth. Work for Truth, live in Truth, promote Truth and it is guaranteed
that you will evolve into God's Light. However, seek no reward.

Metaphysical development requires time, patience, perseverance and great
concentration--the type of concentration not normally possessed by the average
person. This training of psychic and metaphysical faculties may take a whole
life time for its perfect functioning and control. We should not be daunted
by this, however. The Master Jesus said, "In patience possess ye your soul,"
and this each student of metaphysics must be conscientious of. The student
must have patience and possess his or her soul and not allow the Dark forces
to possess it. In metaphysics we learn to direct our lower self, if we do
not do this, negative beings will.

It is expedient that the student remove religious and any form of prejudice
from his mind and heart. At times teachers of metaphysics may refer to the
text of one religion in preference to another to illustrate or substantiate
certain metaphysical concepts. This they do, not because of their personal
background and not because of any animosity toward the other religions, but
because of convenience sake. We know that the essence of all religions is
Truth itself. Metaphysicians, therefore, teach and refer to the Truth in
all religions whenever possible. This brings up another subject to mind:
fanaticism. Fanaticism is not to be tolerated, not in metaphysics, not in
religion, not in any human endeavor whatsoever. Fanaticism simply indicates
a blind belief in principles and opinions, most of which may be dubious as
to their validity. Fanaticism is separatistic, narrow-minded and destructive,
and should be avoided. It breaks up unity by creating divisions and schisms.
It is the very antithesis of the spiritual precept: "unity in diversity."
The motto of the Dark forces will always be "divide and conquer."

Man is a microcosm of the macrocosm. In religious terms, man is a reflection
of God, for he/she was made in God's image. Since God is perfect, man likewise,
in a spiritual sense, is perfect. Man carries the seeds of perfection within
him. He only needs to unfold this divine seed of perfection lying dormant
within him. When this is done all things become possible to man. In order
to nurture these divine seeds, one must overcome inertia and work with the
evolutionary forces of Nature.

The Motive of Study

One of the first few things that a student of metaphysic has to do is to
introspect and analyze as to the motive for approaching metaphysical study.
Why does one want to study metaphysics, its branches, and its various arts
such as magick, mysticism, esotericism, psychometry, dowsing, or telepathy?
For what reason? For what motive? Is it simply to gain advantage over another,
for power over others? Or is it simply to acquire name and fame or the riches
that it will produce? Approaching metaphysics with such motives would retard
one's spiritual growth and is not condoned by any spiritual teacher of worth.
A true and noble motive would be to serve God and humanity in spiritualizing
this physical world, in manifesting Heaven on Earth, where Truth, Justice,
Righteousness, Love, Peace and Goodwill between men prevails. Should your
motive be negative, you are advised to transform it now. Do not deceive yourself
as to your motive.

Another thing that we must not do, is to steal the secrets of heaven or gain
entry into it by force, meaning that we should not force our occult growth
by engaging in dubious exercises obtained through sources with no real integrity
or authority to transmitting them and hoping for an instant development with
their application. Should occult abilities be "instantly" procured, it would
not be permanent and would result in adverse effects in most cases. We all
know the low quality of plants cultivated in greenhouses as compared to the
cultivation done underneath Nature's roof. It is the same with metaphysical
growth. Heaven is not willing to release her secrets to the profane, and
if by chance any of us acquire her secrets and apply them without the proper
motive and purity, we unknowingly curse ourselves. The scriptures say that
God is not mocked. This is a symbolic way of saying that the Law of Karma
is operative and no one is able to avoid its influence.

The student should be aware that there are false Gurus in the metaphysical
field. Every student should be wary and cautious in accepting what they have
to teach, for though what they teach be sweet to the mouth, their effects
may be bitter to the stomach. These Gurus have no sense of responsibility,
and they control and manipulate the minds of their followers for their own
nefarious reasons. They create a morbid dependency on the part of the student.

Without the adequate and correct preparation through the Path of Purification,
although one may unfold in a psychic manner, if accepted and trained by a
"Guru," one would limit one's psychic development and stagnate in one's spiritual
evolution. The higher occult and mystical abilities requires that one be
spiritually developed, and this cannot be attained without the necessary
purification of the microcosm.

Spiritual Masters of the occult and metaphysics are wary and watchful of
students with impure motives. It is not unusual for Spiritual Masters to
reject applicants for study or to put them through certain tests, or to give
them some advise and told to return at a later date, perhaps a week, or a
year later. Just because a student is anxious to study the occult does not
imply that he is ready for it or that he should be accepted by a Spiritual
Master or Adept. Acceptance by a Spiritual Master and the initiations that
he has to offer requires sincerity of motive and more besides. The false
Guru may perhaps accept such a student for personal reasons--for fame, name,
glory or wealth. The true Guru, however, never consider these things as criteria
for accepting students, although he may work in strange ways that sometimes
seem amoral or irrational in order to test candidates. An occult axiom states
that, "When the student is ready, the master appears." The advise here is
to make oneself ready through proper preparation and not sit and wait and
twiddle one's thumbs. The master in this axiom may refer to a spiritual being,
one's personal spiritual guide or guardian, or even to a metaphysical school.

It should be known that the metaphysical path is a strenuous one requiring
every minute of the day. One does not engage in metaphysics at certain spare
moments available. One must make time for the study and practice of metaphysics.
Reduce unnecessary socializing and reduce watching TV and movies to a bare
minimum; preferable not at all wasting time on them. This may result in some
conflict between your friends and relatives as you settle-in to your new
metaphysical routine, but consider this: what is more important, their egoistic
and personal gratification and demands or your study of Truth with its eternal
worth and its spiritual application in the affairs of men? It is up to you
to decide; however, if results are not forthcoming from your practice because
of your lack of application, you have no one to blame but yourself. One piece
of advice: you may drop-out from metaphysical study but never drop-out from
life, for it may be that your real metaphysical teacher and lesson is life
itself. Accept whatever life brings and learn from it; otherwise, seek to
change it using your God-given creative powers.

The Contemplation of Life and Death

Perhaps one of the things that a novice of metaphysics is told to do at the
very outset by a true metaphysical or spiritual teacher is to contemplate
the meaning of death and the opportunity that life offers. This dual theme
is a healthy, sane, and balanced contemplation that when analyzed individually
tends to produce an unhealthy pessimistic or overly hopeful attitude. How
does one begin this contemplation? By reflecting on the following: first
of all realize that we are all heading toward physical death, This might
seem discouraging nevertheless is a true statement that cannot be contradicted.
With every second, with every breath that we take we approach closer to our
grave. Nature guarantees us nothing in life but our coming demise. This is
her promise. We do not know when we will leave the physical body permanently.
It may be the next hour, today or tomorrow, but leave it we shall. From these
musings questions would arise: "What then is the meaning of life?" What is
the purpose of life?" Shall we say as the materialists would say, "let us
eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die"? What sort of a philosophy
is that when our query remains unanswered? It would be preferable to say
"let us study the purpose and meaning of life for we know not when we will
pass away and God's purpose for us here may not be carried-out if we spend
our time on frivolous matters." Contemplating further, we will realize one
major thing, and that life here is an opportunity. Opportunity for what?
An opportunity to grow, to become, and to be. Heraclitus, the philosopher
of ancient Greece said that everything is becoming. This is the Law of Change.
From our metaphysical point of view, we understand that he was referring
to the Law of Evolution.

If we think about it we will realize that we are unable to take anything
material with us to the higher worlds when we pass on. We are unable to take
along with us our house, our money, our possessions, our titles, etc. What
we do take along are things that are immaterial--our knowledge, our memories,
our karma, our habits, our character, our spiritual and psychic development,
our aspirations and desires. We can see from this that our purpose in this
world, in this physical plane is in connection with those immaterial things
mentioned above, and if--and metaphysics declare it to be so--evolution is
a law of Nature, a Cosmic law, then our true purpose is to evolve, to improve
and to purify those immaterial things. Our greatest opportunity in this world
is the correct use of time. Use this gift of God searching for Truth and
not wasting it on non-essentials.

Perhaps after being a little pessimistic about reflecting death just awhile
ago we may now be cheerful and be optimistic about life and to carry-out
the main purpose of physical existence instead of wasting our precious time,
energy and resources on immoderate and excessive entertainment: too much
watching TV, too much sex, the taking of drugs, and indulgence in other material
devices invented and designed by the Dark forces to sidetrack and make us
forget our divine heritage, purpose of being and our mission here on Earth.
This is the nature of evil: it diverts us from experiencing our true soul-purpose
and need. Anything that distracts us from improving our soul nature, our
character, our morals, or acquiring metaphysical knowledge of Cosmic laws
and truths, is to be considered as an evil mechanism and an intruder to our
microcosmic system. These evil intruders sometimes work in such a subtle
manner at times that even disciples of metaphysics are sometimes caught
off-guard.

The Pure Life

A metaphysical life entails living a life of purity. Even before approaching
a Master for apprenticeship, a pure, spiritual, constructive life should
be lived as best as one is able to. The degree of purity within us can be
seen and felt by the Spiritual Masters and Adepts of metaphysics and the
occult. They know our spiritual state and status by the colors and the luminosity
of our aura, by our facial expression, by the quality of the emanations of
our eyes, and by the way we think, speak and act.

By the above we do not imply that one has to be a saint in order to be a
worthy student of the occult or metaphysics. What we are saying is that purity
is a necessary quality to possess and to develop when one becomes a serious
student of the occult. It is an indispensable quality for it prepares our
psycho-biological system, our nervous systems to withstand intense energies
that we invoke from the higher worlds through our occult and metaphysical
studies. We often hear of people going insane because of their involvement
with the occult or metaphysics. This is because of their lack of purity.
Their nervous systems were not able to sustain the spiritual vibrations coursing
through them. When this occurs, as mentioned before, the nervous system ruptures,
certain brain cells and nerve centers are destroyed, and the etheric webs
protecting the student from overexposure to impressions of higher frequencies
coming from the other dimensions, are shattered. One is then unable to shift
focus from one reality to another but is opened to both. This causes too
much strain. Insanity is the sad result.

Spiritual energy invoked through mystical practices also evokes the undesirable
elements lying within us. If these elements are not cleared by a process
of purification, they would cause us trouble. This is not to say that metaphysics
or the occult is an unsafe study. There is danger in everything. One simply
needs the right information and common sense, and take precautionary measures
when delving into any study, especially metaphysics and the occult.

Purification is a multi-level process. It should occur on all levels of the
microcosm. For instance, our physical body, our blood-stream, our
energy-structures, our emotions, our minds, our aura, and chakras, all need
to undergo purification. The Path of Purification is a basic step in any
system of occult, metaphysical, and spiritual study. To neglect this essential
step is to open-up ourselves to spiritual dangers. Any Guru neglecting the
Path of Puification in his or her metaphysical system is a false teacher
working against the evolutionary tide and spiritual current. It is not beyond
the means of any average person to become pure and holy. The difficulty is
that people do not see purity or holiness for what it is. They have many
erroneous concepts regarding it. For instance, some of us believe that to
be holy one has to seclude oneself from society, be celibate, or wear white
robes or even tattered clothing. They believe that to be holy one must dress
oneself in some special way or wear a certain hairstyle or do strange things,
or act a little mad. These are all fallacies. We should all strive for holiness
by being what we truly are, and not be what we think ourselves to be. In
the name of Light, Life and Love, we appeal to all students to be pure and
holy.

A Balanced Approach Towards Metaphysics

In metaphysics or in the occult, the student is requested to take a balanced
approach. There are three factors that students have to consider:

1) Knowledge of metaphysical laws, principles, and cosmic truths.

2) Unfoldment of spiritual and psychic senses, faculties, and abilities.

The
pursuit of these three together in a harmonious way is necessary in developing
a well-rounded attainment. When one is over-emphasized and the others compromised
as to their importance, then trouble results for the metaphysical student.
For instance, too much knowledge without spiritual abilities and a spiritual
development results in a poor instrument, one ineffective in the service
of men, and one filled with pride and vanity. Psychic abilities without knowledge
and a degree of spiritual advancement causes similar symptoms as the above--pride
and vanity, together with a poor understanding of what one registers through
the psychic centers. Though one be "spiritual," without metaphysical knowledge
and understanding one is often deluded and misled by psychic forces. One
falls into the trap of glamour and illusion.

To be spiritually developed without adequate knowledge and psychic ability
results in one's ineffectiveness in serving humanity. We can see from this
that the problem facing the metaphysical student is the correct pursuit and
development of those three factors simultaneously. The unfoldment of these
three factors causes that Divine Spark (Spirit), the Soul-Flame within us
to grow in strength and magnitude. This Spark is threefold. There is a will-power
aspect (blue), a love-wisdom aspect (pink) and an intelligence-understanding
aspect (yellow). This divine flame, metaphysically, has its location within
our physical heart and is about 2 cm in size. It is representative of the
Higher Soul within the microcosm which is likewise threefold in nature. Esoteric
students of Theosophy, for instance, call these components of the threefold
Soul, atma, buddhi, and manas.

Too often metaphysical, occult, or so-called spiritual Gurus teach on the
basis of a single approach. This does much harm to the student and to society
in the long run, or in the very least, it does no lasting good. Advanced
teachers, or true Spiritual Masters would synthesize the above three factors.
Their approach as a synthesis of those triune factors, would be practical,
instructive, and informative.

Let us look again at those three factors. What do we mean by occult and
metaphysical knowledge? By such knowledge we mean of the following :

Knowledge concerning, the origin of Spirit-Man; the origin of human beings;
the origin of the solar system; civilizations of unrecorded hstory; the real
history of man; man's purpose of being; the progression and the transmission
of the ageless teachings throughout the centuries; the origin of religion;
the Mystery Schools; the occult anatomy of man; man's latent powers and
faculties; the secret teachings and oral tradition of the prophets; the nature
and laws governing the higher worlds and man; the application of Cosmic laws;
the hidden laws of this three-dimensional world; the principles of counseling
and healing; the nature of man, etc.

Now what do we mean by the unfoldment of psychic and spiritual abilities?
What are they? Here are just a few: the ability to register spiritual impulses
emanating from the Soul, the Spirit, the Spiritual Hierarchy, one's spiritual
group, and Master; telepathy; the ability to direct the elements and forces
of Nature; spiritual vision; etheric vision; the ability to function consciously
in the higher worlds; the ability to attune with the Divine Cosmic Mind;
the ability to know the past, present and future; the ability to heal body,
mind and soul; the power to create; etc.

So far we have used the words occult, metaphysics, and spirituality
interchangeably. At this time this suits our purpose, but we have to realize
that these terms are not synonymous and each have a specific definition of
their own. To these terms we may include mysticism, magick, parapsychology,
parapsychic science, and esotericism as each having a definite meaning and
yet still connected with metaphysics in general. In the course of one's
metaphysical study one would gradually come to realize the fundamental
difference.

Humility and Fearlessness

So far, we have already dealt at some length with the qualities that the
candidate of metaphysical studies has to possess, such as purity and an open
mind. Other important qualities are those of humility and fearlessness.

Humility is the quality of acknowledging the greatness of God as expressing
throughout Nature. It is the realization that no matter what one attains
or what one becomes there is always room for further growth. Thus, one never
view oneself as representing a final attainment such as being the smartest
kid in school, for one knows that there are still others much more smarter
than oneself. There is always room for improvement. We should not just look
down before us, look upwards as well and see that there are others far above
us. Reaching one peak allows us to see a higher summit.

There is pride in thinking of being wise or in being stupid. There is also
pride in thinking of being rich or in being poor. The writer has often heard
people lamenting on how poor they are, and they enjoy saying this and proving
it. They would take quite a lot of trouble to prove that they are poor and
that none are in as much a need as themselves. This is pride expressing itself,
for they fail to see that they possess many of God's precious gifts to them,
such as their senses to register impressions, their minds to think, their
will to act, and their hands and feet to carry-out their desire; in short,
all that is required to manifesting prosperity. Such people are ungrateful
beings. In this they show their lack of humility.

When approaching an Occult Master in an egoistic manner, he would most certainly
reprimand us verbally . . . or in silence. Such applicants for the teachings
are quickly shown the exit. Demanding to be taught indicates one's unreadiness
for occultism and metaphysics. Instead of requesting from the Guru the higher
teachings, one should come to realize that one still requires the lower teachings
and disciplines from the many challenges that life has to offer and instruct
us. All of these challenges are simply for the purpose of taming the human
ego. The ego when unbridled, is an unfit vessel for metaphysical and spiritual
teachings. Where the ego strives, there humility dies.

Fear is one of the obstacles to metaphysical understanding and awareness.
Approaching and advancing on the occult path entails facing many enemies
and frightening phenomena, the worst of these is our own lower self with
its many subconsious projections which in occult circles is called the
Dweller on the Threshold. If we wish to pursue occult studies,
fearlessness is a paramount virtue to possess, for in truth nothing can hurt
us unless we give it the power to do so. One of the maxims of the Great White
Brotherhood is to know, to dare, to do, and to be silent. Make this maxim
a part of yourself.

In the maxim above the student is advised to be silent. It is disrespectful
to the teacher and to the Cosmic to reveal secret and esoteric matters to
those unprepared for it. Be ever watchful of your mouth, for as the Master
Jesus said: "Do not cast pearls before swines." Silence is a protective quality.
It protects the person who keeps silent on sacred matters as well as others
who may be inclined to misuse the information. Assume silence when you should
be silent and only speak when others are not courageous enough to defend
Truth. Silence is golden at the right place and at the right time, and on
sacred matters. Students will progress more rapidly should silence be a part
of their being. Do not draw attention to yourself. Do not speak of your occult
experiences to those unsympathetic to metaphysics, for this would simply
provide them with offensive weapons.

In metaphysics too often than not, one may encounter contradictions. These
contradictions may just be apparent and not real. Truth is like a cut diamond
with its many facets. Keep in mind that what is relatively true is synonymous
to being relatively false. However, in cases of contradictions, adopt that
which seems more logical to you.

This is an important article and the student is advised to consider it wisely.
It is hoped that the student be sincere and apply these teachings that he
or she may acquire the virtues that we have referred to. In the days of Atlantis,
men misused and abused occult and metaphysical teachings. This was one of
the direct reasons why the continent submerged and leaving very few traces
as to its geographical location, its place in the memory of men, or in our
history books. Many civilizations ended drastically because of the misuse
and exploitation of knowledge for selfish ends. People mistakenly believe
that the ends justify the means. This is false. The means determines the
end. Let us not repeat our ancient mistakes, as it interrupts the evolutionary
process and cause the holy ones to weep.